Other than the basic flavors, like vanilla, cinnamon, and coconut, it???s not often that the name of a flavored tea actually corresponds to the flavor of the tea. That is, until Tea Spot came along with flavors like Tiramisu, Almond Cookie, and Pumpkin Cr??me that (gasp!) actually tastes like what their names imply.

The large, industrial-type tins that contain the various flavor blends of rooibos, mate, white, green, and black teas in this Greenwich Village caf??/tea/study cove sport a deceivingly subdued look.

Whether you want iced or hot tea, it???s brewed fresh for you as you wait at the counter. Tea Spot uses a brewing system that I have never seen before, the Infinitea machine. The Infinitea resembles an espresso machine and produces a single serving of fresh, flavor-packed, perfectly brewed tea within seconds.

The high quality tea flavors and unique brewing method are not where the perks of Tea Spot end however. Aside from having a staff that is consistently friendly and helpful (they???re more than happy to pull every single tin of tea off the shelf so patrons can have a smell before they commit to a flavor choice), there is free Wi-Fi, an assortment of tasty pastries and sandwiches, and an ambience that everyone can enjoy. Tea Spot also has space in abundance, an asset that many tea and coffee shops can???t always provide. The upstairs houses several sunny tables, while the downstairs offers a darker, lower-key assortment of tables and booths. Or, if you???d rather take your tea to-go and enjoy it outdoors, Washington Square Park is only a block away.

There???s also one other HUGE benefit to going to Tea Spot ??? they have bubble tea. Any of their loose teas can be ordered as bubble tea, with tapioca pearls added. You can also have a skim milk-based flavored powder added (taro, green tea, mango and Thai tea are just some of the flavors) to create a thicker, more tea-frappe fusion type bubble tea. Both ways, either adding pearls to a plain tea or making any tea into a bubble tea frappe, are flavorful (but not overly sweet) options.

Whether you are in search of a cozy nook on a cool Fall day, an icy reprieve from the mid-Summer heat, or just a laid back place to study or read, Tea Spot has what you???re looking for. The next time you???re wandering through Greenwich Village, stop by and have some tea (I recommend the Almond Cookie or the Royal Blend).

The tea was called Lapsang Souchong and it has now made its way to the top of my ‘favorite teas’ list (watch out gen maicha!). As the pot of steaming tea came to our table, my roommate and I both found ourselves a bit confused. You know those times when you???re sure you???ve met someone before, but can???t pinpoint exactly where? Well, as the Lapsang Souchong arrived at our table, we both knew we had smelled it before, but could not determine where. I thought it smelled like juniper trees and the early morning when you???re camping. My roommate seconded the vote for ???Smells like camping.??? That???s when we realized that this stuff smells exactly like a campfire. I almost expected to go home with my hair and clothes smelling like wood smoke, after drinking a pot of Lapsang.

This campfire-in-a-mug comes from the Fujian province of China and gets its flavor and color (a surprising red-orange) from a multi-step process. It???s first withered over cypress or pine fire, oxidized, and then smoked over pine. In case I haven???t sold you on this tea using the liquid campfire description, let me entice you to try it based on some of its other characteristics. The thin, light, easy to sip nature of Lapsang Souchong complements the bold, rich, and smoky flavor. For people who like to add milk and sweetener to their tea, Lapsang does not disappoint. However, for tea drinkers who prefer it straight up, this tea offers an intricate blend of uninhibited flavors. And if you still aren???t sure you want to try it, consider this: Lapsang Souchong is often described as “the tea for those who appreciate single-malt Scotch whiskey and fine cigars.” Not so into cigars and whiskey? It is also said to pair perfectly with Mexican food and fine cheeses.

Sure, you can easily brew a pot of Lapsang Souchong yourself at home, but then you???d miss out on the experience of Algiers. Tucked away in a Cambridge cottage, this mysterious Brattle Street business offers a selection of interesting wine, beer, tea, coffee, and food. But, the incredibly delicious food and luscious beverages aren???t even the best part. Algiers has character. And if a restaurant/bar/teahouse/coffeehouse can be sultry, this one definitely is. There???s mismatched artwork on the dusky walls, intricate mosaic lamps on the tables, antique hookahs scattered about, and perfectly weathered hexagonal wooden tables creating random formations. So, next time you???re in Cambridge, MA, take the time to visit Algiers. Sit at a table upstairs, share a pot of Lapsang Souchong and some appetizers, and enjoy the dark, warm atmosphere of this rare find.

Algiers Coffee House
40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
(617) 482-1557

I first heard about it when a friend and I were looking for beverages to go with our take-out sushi and saw Teany bottled teas in a store fridge next to the bottled water. We each got one, vanilla berry hibiscus and peach berry green tea. Not only were the drinks awesome, the labels were pretty entertaining too. Actually, the labels were so intriguing that my friend ended up going to the Teany website, only to discover that it is a tea shop on Rivington that also serves vegan food.

Tea, vegan food, Manhattan ??? there???s little room for error with this combination. So, on an overcast Sunday afternoon, I set out on my quest to see exactly what Teany had to offer, in terms of tea and ambience. As my friend (the same one from before…he stuck with me through my entire Teany experience) and I walked up Rivington, we looked across the street and saw a church that was being renovated. The entire front had been removed and the exposed brick edges framed the alter, murals, stained glass, and chandeliers. It was incredible and there were people literally standing on SUVs to capture the perfect picture. Across the street from this rare and humongous sight sat the tiny Teany.

We opened the wobbly door and walked through the enclosed patio into the sunny, inviting, hippy-chic main area. Upon first glance, Teany is the type of space that elicits comments like ???This is what I???d like my kitchen to look like??? and ???I wish I had six stomachs, a coupla days, and more money so I could try everything.???

We were seated at a small bistro table, next to a stand sprinkled with Vice magazines. All around us were silvery tins of tea. Along with a small menu of light vegan fare, we received a tea binder. That???s right, I said binder ??? there are almost 100 types of tea to choose from! There were plenty of intriguing varieties and an added perk was that each tea listed is followed by a very thorough, vivid description of key flavors, origin, serving suggestions, and other pertinent information. Maybe they do it so people like me refrain from asking their waitress a billion questions about each tea. For some reason, I think they do it because they genuinely enjoy tea and want others to as well. Whatever the reason, it made the decision-making process a whole lot easier and it provided interesting reading.

My companion ordered a sandwich and a bottle of white tea with pomegranate. I finally decided on a pot of green tea with coconut. But, it was a tough decision between this and the Golden Monkey, which was described as having a soft sweetness, no astringency, and a wonderful, lasting aftertaste. My green tea with coconut came in a classically plain white ceramic Teany pot with a matching Teany mug and saucer. And, it tasted even better than it looked. My tea was mild yet flavorful, which is exactly what I was in the mood for. Sometimes green tea can leave that weird feeling in your mouth ??? sort of like the same weird coating an unripe banana leaves ??? but this tea was light and left no strange coating. Plus, the coconut lent a subtle smokiness to the flavor of the tea. As we browsed through a copy of Vice, talked, and sipped, I realized that I really liked Teany. It just felt right. You know, one of those places where you feel completely comfortable making your way slowly through a pot of tea while perusing a magazine or talking to a friend (or pretending you???re listening to a friend while really reading a magazine…).

As we were finishing our tea (and my carnivorous friend finished his vegan bagel sandwich, which he said was really good) I saw a small chalkboard announcing the daily special: a tea latte made with soy milk, tea, almonds, and prickly pear. I definitely would have opted for that had I seen it sooner. Sure, I played it safe with a fairly non-adventurous tea choice on my first visit to Teany, but on my next visit, bring on the prickly pear. I will definitely try one of their specialty concoctions.

I know that this is really weird, but I feel compelled to comment on the restroom at Teany. Not only was it spotless, but it also had cool candles and artwork and the soap was definitely Dr. Bronner???s hemp peppermint soap. Everything about Teany was quaint and just… nice.

Overall, anyone and everyone will enjoy Teany. There are definitely plenty of concoctions to excite even the most adventurous tea drinkers, but there???s also a great selection of more mainstream stuff too. The atmosphere is sort of your kitchen meets pub meets bistro meets Whole Foods. Next time you???re in the Lower East Side, check it out.